News

Sales in US of Animal Health Products $7.5 Billion in 2013

19 January 2015

US - Sales of animal health products for livestock and pets were similar in 2013 to the year before, according to new figures from the industry body.

Spending by Americans on medicines used to protect the health of companion and farm animals was essentially unchanged in 2013 compared to 2012, not adjusted for inflation, according to figures released today by the Animal Health Institute.

Sales for medicines for pets and livestock combined totalled $7.5 billion. It is estimated that nearly 60 per cent of the total are medicines for pets.

Sales in each of the three product categories – biologicals, pharmaceuticals and feed additives – were unchanged.

Three different federal agencies review animal health products: The US Department of Agriculture reviews biologics; the Food and Drug Administration reviews pharmaceuticals; and the Environmental Protection Agency reviews flea and tick treatments.

AHI President and CEO, Alexander S. Mathews, said: “Virtually every American benefits from the use of these medicines on a daily basis. Pet owners are able to keep animals indoors and provide them with longer and healthier lives. Food consumers enjoy a healthier food supply because farmers and veterinarians have access to medicine to keep food animals healthy.”

Animal medicines are a critical tool used by veterinarians to keep pets and food animals healthy. Since some 60 per cent of all known diseases are those that can pass between animals and humans, keeping animals healthy is a key to keeping humans healthy. For more information about the connection between animal health and human health, please visit www.healthyanimals.org.

Raw sales data is collected by CEESA, a non-profit international association based in Belgium. CEESAcollects sales data on the animal health market in Europe as well. Total sales for the entire US animal health products industry is calculated based on projections made by CEESA and provided to AHI. Sales are for products priced at the manufacturer’s level. CEESA reporting companies represent 89 per cent of the US animal health products industry.